Mary White (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I raised the matter of the lack of activity and neglect by the Higher Education Authority, HEA, on North-South co-operation with the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn. He listened. It is disgraceful. Many years ago, Charles Haughey appointed me to the HEA so I have an interest and I know what happens there. It is quite a closed organisation in its own way. It is a pity the North-South co-operation has lapsed and the HEA does not have it as part of its strategy.

The establishment of the joint working group to create greater harmonisation within the two higher education systems, North and South, will help break down the barriers to higher island-wide student mobility and would be a significant step forward. Business people, such as the management of PayPal in Dundalk, do not see the Border. If people have experience and qualifications, it does not matter where they come from. The quicker we get this back on track, the better.

I congratulate the two colleges and the Institute of Technology Sligo on the fantastic work they do. It is a brilliant contribution. The committee will support them in any way we can. Formally, under the Good Friday agreement, I raised with the Minister the lack of drive by the HEA in its action plan. The HEA action plan does not mention co-operation at all.